Dele Alli wins PFA Young Player of the for the second season in a row

 

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has won the Professional Footballers' Association Young Player of the Year prize for the second season in a row.

The 21-year-old England star has again been in scintillating form for the north London club this season as they challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title.

He won the vote of his peers ahead of Spurs

team-mate Harry Kane, Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, Burnley defender Michael Keane, Sunderland goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Manchester City winger Leroy Sane.

Alli said: 'I'm extremely proud. It's a great honour for me - obviously the second year in a row - but I've still got a lot to do, I've got to keep working hard. I've got to keep improving.

'The big thing for me, after last season, is I wanted to put my chances away more. I got a lot of chances last season that I wasn't putting away. I wasn't as clinical.

'I've still got to improve on that, still had a few chances that I've missed, so I'll keep working on that. But there's a lot of little bits that need improving.'

Asked for the highlight of his season, Alli explained: 'There have been a lot. The main one's probably Chelsea at home, when we won 2-0, just because there was a lot that went into that game.

'When you feel the way the fans are and the way the players are building into the game, to not only win the game but to score two goals as well was massive.'

On Mauricio Pochettino's contribution to his development, Alli said: 'He's an unbelievable manager - and person as well.

He doesn't just focus on what's happening on the pitch, he works on off the pitch as well to make sure each player's got the right attitude, are there for the right reasons, and they want to fight for the club.

'I think you can see that with every player. We all want to fight for each other and for the manager as well.'

On the PFA's role, he added: 'There are a lot of players that go through a lot of different things in their lives, and it's good to have such a big group that's there to help.'

Alli could consider himself unlucky not to be shortlisted for the senior award too, and Tottenham boss Pochettino said earlier this month: 'I think he deserves (to be nominated) because he's showing great performances every week and in every game.